Whitman County Gazette - Serving Whitman County since 1877

Donald Wayne (Don) Ping died on February 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash., at the age of 97. He spent most of his life living in Lacrosse, Wash., with his wife of more than 70 years, Marie. His spirit now happily joins Marie's, who died just four months earlier, in October 2022.

Don was born to Albert and Lucy Ping on February 14, 1926, in his aunt & uncle's house in Lacrosse. He was the oldest of five siblings. Like most kids during the Great Depression, Don worked every summer, from the time he was 12, for various farmers or for the Lacrosse Grain Growers. He loved playing sports, especial...